Higgy gets closer, Souray nothing serious

Injured Habs healing nicely and eager to returnSheldon Souray and Christopher Higgins are first and third on the team, respectively, in goals scored.

MONTREAL - The Canadiens' lineup is on the brink of getting an offensive lift with sharp-shooting Sheldon Souray not expected to be out for long and Christopher Higgins almost set to return to action.

On the sidelines since injuring his left ankle versus the Devils on Nov. 4, the last 17 games have felt like an eternity to Higgins. The 23-year-old was off to a blazing start with eight goals and 13 points in 13 games.

"I can't wait to be back that's for sure, these last five and a half weeks have been tough," said Higgins. "It felt great at practice today and it's been improving every day. There hasn't been any swelling and it has progressed well the last few weeks."

Despite Higgins dying to get back in the lineup, he knows the final decision isn't up to him.

"It's in the hands of the training staff at this point," added Higgins. "I've told them I feel like I'm ready to go, but it's still their call."

Thankfully for Souray it was his right wrist that was jammed against the Sabres and not his left, which was surgically repaired on five separate occasions a few seasons back.

"I felt a lot better after getting the MRI results than I did after the game Saturday night," admitted Souray. "When you go through what I did with my other wrist, you get braced for the worst. It was a relief to find out it was nothing serious."

Souray is hopeful that he will not have to miss any considerable action.

"I'm feeling better now than I did the yesterday and the day before that so it's coming along," said Souray. "If we're in April right now I'd be out there playing, but we don't want to take any chances. Having the depth we do on the blue line doesn't hurt either."

After sitting out Tuesday night game against the Bruins, Steve Begin continues to nurse what head coach Guy Carbonneau jokingly referred to as a "middle body" injury. Begin remains listed as day-to-day.